City of Stories engages writers and readers across London. This November, we’re returning to 21 London libraries to host a series of performances and open mic events.
Living in one of the most diverse and creative cities in the world, City of Stories celebrates libraries as the place where London’s writers and readers can discover and create stories. Since its launch in 2017, over 1,400 people have taken part in City of Stories, creating their own stories and reading and attending events. After a phenomenal response this summer, with over 500 writers participating in 42 free writing workshops across London, we are very excited to announce that the City of Stories is returning this November with a series of open mic events.
At these events, taking place in 21 libraries across the city, Spread the Word and London Libraries are inviting writers and readers alike to come and listen to stories created at the workshops this summer, and share their own. These free events will be facilitated by a brilliant team of writers, including two of this year’s writers-in-residence: Olumide Popoola and Gary Budden, one of the writers-in-residence from 2017 Bidisha and the City of Stories writer-facilitators Lainy Malkani, Tom Mallender, Lewis Buxton, Rachel Long, Anita Belli and Jarred McGinnis.
You’ll also have the opportunity to pick up a free copy of the 2018 City of Stories anthology, featuring over 60 brand new stories ranging from the 2018 writers-in-residence Meena Kandasamy, Gary Budden, Olumide Popoola and Leone Ross to the City of Stories competition winners.
Dates
Barking and Dagenham
Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7NB
Thursday 15 November, 6:00-7:30pm
Facilitator: Anita Belli
Bexley
Central Library, Townley Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7HJ
Thursday 15 November, 2:30-4:00pm
Facilitator: Bidisha
Brent
The Library at Willesden Green, 95 High Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2SF
Tuesday 20 November, 6:30-8:00pm
Facilitator: Jarred McGinnis
Camden
Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Tuesday 27 November, 4:30-6:00pm
Facilitator: Lewis Buxton
City of London
Barbican Library, Barbican Centre Level 2, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Saturday 24 November, 2:00-3:30pm
Facilitator: Jarred McGinnis
Croydon
Central Library, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET
Saturday 3 November, 2:00-3:30pm
Facilitator: Anita Belli
Ealing
West Ealing Library, Melbourne Avenue W13 9BT
Thursday 15 November, 5:00-6:30pm
Facilitator: Rachel Long
Greenwich
Woolwich Central Library, 35 Wellington Street, London SE18 6HQ
Sunday 18 November, 1:30-3:00pm
Facilitator: Tom Mallender
Hackney
Dalston CLR James Library, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ
Wednesday 14 November, 6:30-8:00pm
Facilitator: Jarred McGinnis
Hammersmith
Hammersmith Library, Shepherds Bush Road, W6 7AT
Thursday 15 November, 6:00-7:30pm
Facilitator: Olumide Popoola
Islington
Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, Highbury East, London, N5 1PF
Thursday 15 November, 6:00-7:30pm
Facilitator: Anita Belli
Kensington and Chelsea
Chelsea Library, Chelsea Old Town Hall, London, SW3 5EE
Thursday 22 November, 6:30-7:45pm
Facilitator: Rachel Long
Kingston
Surbiton Library, Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6AG
Wednesday 21 November, 10:30am-12:00pm
Facilitator: Tom Mallender
Lewisham
Manor House Library, 34 Old Road, London, SE13 5SY
Saturday 17 November, 4:00-5:30pm
Facilitator: Tom Mallender
Merton
Morden Library, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX
Tuesday 20 November, 3:00-4:30pm
Facilitator: Gary Budden
Newham
Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, Stratford, E15 1EL
Thursday 15 November, 6:00-7:30pm
Facilitator: Lewis Buxton
Redbridge
Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1EA
Tuesday 6 November, 6:30-8:00pm
Facilitator: Bidisha
Tower Hamlets
Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BU
Sunday 18 November, 3:30-5:00pm
Facilitator: Bidisha
Waltham Forest
Leytonstone Library Plus, 6 Church Lane Leytonstone London E11 1HG
Saturday 17 November, 3:00-4:30pm
Facilitator: Lainy Malkani
Wandsworth
Balham Library, 16 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QY
Wednesday 7 November, 6:00-7:30pm
Facilitator: Lainy Malkani
Westminster
Victoria Library, 160 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9UD
Monday 19 November, 6:00-7:30pm
Facilitator: Bidisha
Please note that to book onto the Redbridge Open Mic, you need to go here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-stories-reading-and-open-mic-with-bidisha-tickets-49984564177
Book your free ticket online and get in touch if you have any queries / access requirements. BSL interpretation is available on request at each event, with advance notice.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Published 6 September 2018